The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Fond Du Lac, WI for 2024

Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Fond Du Lac, WI, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies across the 6 options below.

The Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that home care agencies in Fond du Lac charge $5,720 per month for full-time nonmedical services. This is about $200 more than the Wisconsin norm, and it exceeds the national average by about $800 per month. Seniors in other cities across Wisconsin pay more economical rates, including home care clients in Appleton, where fees average $5,339, and those in Green Bay, where agencies charge $5,053 per month for care. Fond du Lac is affordable compared to La Crosse, where monthly fees come in at $5,958, and Sheboygan, where care costs are about $380 higher than the local norm.

In Fond du Lac, home care agencies charge $5,720 for nonmedical services. This is the same monthly rate home health care agencies charge, though some may charge higher monthly fees for specialized services. Seniors who live in assisted living facilities pay comparatively affordable rates of $4,175 per month, and those who live at home and attend adult day health care pay just $1,733. Home care is economical compared to nursing home placement, which starts at $7,591 per month.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help to pay for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations, typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day, and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial or nonmedical care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care services either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans' Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.